McCAMANT & DURRETT ARCHITECTS/ THE COHOUSING COMPANY (MDA) is an
architecture and consulting firm internationally known for its
community architecture. We have received extensive recognition in the
media and through numerous awards for cohousing neighborhoods and
affordable housing that exemplify a sense of community, as well as for
mixed-use planning and urban design schemes. The firm employs a staff
of skilled architects, community organizers and designers. MDA brings
the highest level of care and design to all of its projects, large or
small.

INTENT OF THE INTERNSHIP: The intent of the internship is to give
individuals, who are usually fresh out of planning school (graduate or
undergraduate), the opportunity for professional growth while they
contribute to a studio that is doing cutting-edge work. We provide an
intermediate experience between school and professional work. An
internship here is an opportunity to participate in an office with a
distinct social agenda – promotion of community, creating more
sustainable neighborhoods, and contribution to the human quality of
the built environment.

While our firm is predominantly an architecture firm, we are very
involved in neighborhood design, planning and development research,
site feasibility and small town planning schemes. Working in our
office would give you experience interfacing with architects,
developers, city and county planning officials and many more in the
field of design and development, depending on the projects we are
working on at the time of the internship.

SKILLS and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Undergraduate or graduate degree in planning, urban design or a related field.
Excellent writing and research skills.
Familiarity with zoning code and development approval process.
Interest in neighborhood and urban design that demonstrates a genuine
concern about quality of life issues, social justice, and
environmental design practices.
Ability to research and apply for RFQs and RFPs for urban design and
small planning projects.
Assist with feasibility research (zoning review, buildable area,
restrictions, review process, site characteristics, neighborhood
context, etc.); work with cohousing groups, developers or realtors to
find potential cohousing sites
Assist with preparation of written documents for city/county approvals
(zoning code review, master plan, sustainability requirements, etc.
Follow local planning and development or regulatory issues for
involvement (e.g. Housing Element; identification of higher-density
residential sites, etc.)

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY: It is our aim to honor natural resources and to
facilitate environmental design of the highest standard possible. We
strive to make the buildings and environments beautiful and to employ
energy- and resource-efficient building techniques. We are interested
in creating a more livable, walkable living environment through
pedestrian-measures, more dense building environments, mixed-use
neighborhoods and many more environmental and sustainable design
elements.

COMPENSATION: Interns volunteer for the first month and are then paid
minimum wage for the following months. We do not attempt to make
money with intern labor. If a six-month internship is not possible
for you, a shorter unpaid option may be possible.

NEXT STEP: Please send a résumé and samples of your work (planning
projects or reports; neighborhood schemes – anything written or
graphic that represents your interests and work to date) to Charles
Durrett (charles.durrett@...). If we are interested, we
will call you to set up a time to speak with you. Thanks very much
for your interest.